Liquid cooling and dispensing apparatus



Jan. 9, 1940. H. H. HARR ET AL 2,185,723

LIQUID COOLING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed June 20, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS flu M TORNEY Jan.9, 1940. HHHARR ET AL 2,186,723

LIQUID COOLING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed June 20, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 9, 1940. H, HARR ET 2,186,723

LIQUID COOLING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed June 20, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 9, 1940. H H RR T L 2,186,723

LIQUID COOLING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed June 20, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNV NTORS $0M BY 10 I OR'NEY Patented Jan. 9, 1940 m STATES LIQUID COOLING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS Herman H. Harr, Newark, and Leo Samel, Irvington, N. J., assignors to Leo Samel Application June'20, 1936, Serial No. 86,254

3 Claims.

This application is a continuation in part of our copending application Serial No; 753,152, filed" November 15, 1934; and this invention relates in general to cooling and dispensing apparatus for liquids and more particularly to apparatus for cooling and dispensing beverages which contain activating gases, for example beer, ale, porter, root beer andother carbonated beverages.

It is highly desirable 'to retain the activating gases in such beverages until they are consumed since'the" absence of the activating gases causes the beverages to become flat or unpalatable. Beverages" of this character are generally dispe'rised' under pressure and considerable difliculty'is encountered in dispensing the beverages into glasses or other receptacles Without splashing and foaming, and in many known dispensing devices, foam accumulates in the dispensing faucet and the beverage inthe vicinity of the faucet becomes warm so as to expand the gases and 'increase the foam, so that it is necessary to run off foam until the cooled liquid beverage begins to flow, and'this results in waste of the foam which is the life and essence of the beverage.

the. metal containers or pipes, as well'as excessive cooling'or chilling, causes the beverage to become cloudy, and inasmuch as this chilled and cloudy beverage is unpalatable and unsaleable it must bethrown away. I .r' Therefore, the prime object of our invention is to provide a liquidcooling and'dispensing apparatus by which all'of theforegoing desirable results may-beobtained and the difficulties and 35 objections may be overcome, so that calm, properly cooled liquid may be dispensed with its full and uniform aroma, creamy and natural flavor. --nIn carrying out our invention we force the beverage under pressure from its original con- ;m tainer such as a keg or barrel intoa calming and cooling'chamber Where the beverage is' permitted to become calm and cool before it is dispensed through a dispensing faucet. The intermediate calming and cooling chamber overcomes the necessity for the old fashioned beer cooling coils a'ndensures anadequate quantity of cool beverage for continuous dispensing.

' We also contemplate forming the calming and Furthermorareaction between the beverage and acter described embodying a noveland improved construction and combination of calming and cooling tanks or compartments, whereby the compartments can be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled, the cost of manufacture there'- 5 of shall be relatively small, and the tanks may be easily kept in sanitary condition.

Further objects are to provide apparatus of the general character described including a novel and improved means for supplying air under pressure to the calming and cooling chamber for forcing the beverage therefrom after the" chamber has been cutoff from the barrel or 'ke'g; and to provide such means wherebythe' chambers and pipes can be blown out or cleaned by air' pressure without disconnecting the various parts of the apparatus. "*r A further object is to provide in apparatus'of the character described anovel and improved pipe connection between the various tankswhich shall include one piece of tubing the-oppositeends .of which may be simultaneously selectively and interchangeably fitted into different tanks and novel and improved means for separably;connecting the tubing to the tanks. Referring to the accompanying drawings in which corresponding and like parts are designated throughout the several views by the same reference characters, I

Figure l is a side elevation of a liquid'cooling and dispensing apparatus embodyingour invention showing the same enclosed in a cooling cabinetwhich is illustrated in vertical section.

Figure 2 is a side elevation on an enlargedscale of the coolingand dispensing unit. r Figure 3 is a top plan view of the iunitshown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view' on the line 4--4'of Figure 2. z Figure 5 is a detached plan view of "the retainer for connecting-together theupperyends of the tanks of the unit. 1 Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view'onthe line 6-6 of Figure'3: r v

Figure? is an enlarged'vertical sectionalview on the'line 'a'! of Figure 3. r i Figure 8 is a similar view on the line 8 -8 of Figure 3.

' Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional view. on the line .9-9 of Figure 7. :1 Figure 10 is a detached side elevation on a further enlarged scale of one of the transfer tubes forestablishing communication between the ad:

jacent tanks. I I

Figure 11 is a similar view of the inlet'tuba' 5s Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view on the line lZ-IZ of Figure 8.

Figures 13, 14 and 15 are schematic views of the apparatus.

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing two of the tanks connected in series and one tank operating independently.

Figure 17 is a similar view showing two of the tanks operating independently and the third tank out of operation.

Figure 18 is a side elevation of a modification of the parts for injecting air into the system.

Figure 19 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the air valve and strainer shown in Figure 1,

Figure 20 is a similar view through the strainer and air connection shown in Figure 18, and Figure 21 is a fragmentary composite sectional elevational view showing a valve for venting pressure from the tank or attaching a pressure gauge thereto.

Specifically describing the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the reference character A generally designates a supply container for a beverage or other liquid, for example a barrel or keg, from which the beverage is forced under pressure through a pipe line B to a cooling and dispensing unit C.

One end of the barrel has a bung opening in which is secured a bung holder and draft pipe attaching sleeve device D of known construction. Within the tapping sleeve D is slidably mounted a tapping tube It in packed relation to the sleeve, and a lateral inlet nipple I1 is provided on the sleeve for connection to a hose or the like l3 for injecting air into the barrel around the tapping tube Hi.

The tapping tube I6 is connected to the pipe B in the usual manner, and said pipe leads to a calming and cooling tank arranged within the cooling and dispensing unit C. As shown, this calming and cooling tank consists of a plurality of sections or separate tanks 23, which are arranged in parallel relation and are preferably of the same length so that the mouths of the tanks can be arranged in a common plane with the bottoms of the tanks also in a common plane. The mouth of each tank has a perimetral flange 24 and is surrounded by a ring 25 which abuts the underside of the flange and is secured to the tank as by soldering or Welding, the ring 25 having an upstanding perimetral flange 25 projecting upwardly above the flange 24 of the tank.

The tanks are held together by a retainer 21 which has an opening 28 for each tank to receive the tank with the flanges 24 and 26 at the side of the retainer nearer the mouth of the tank as clearly shown in Figures 2, '7 and 8. Each tank has a separate closure 29 which is fastened to the ring 25 and clamped over the mouth of the tank. As shown each tank has four bolts 36 secured in the ring 25 and passing through apertures 3| in the closure, and two of the bolts have extensions 32 which pass through slots 33 in the retainer. Wing nuts are provided on all of the bolts for clamping the closures in position, while nuts 34 on the extensions 32 clamp the retainer to the tanks; and packing rings 36 are preferably provided between the closures and the flanges 24 of the tanks. The retainer thus firmly holds the tanks together.

The lower ends of the tanks are. set into a .base plate 31 which has a recess 38 for each tank and is connected to the retainer 21 by a tie bolt 39. The base plate 31 may be secured to the bottom of a refrigerating compartment by bolts 40 passing through apertured lugs 4| on the base plate.

In accordance with the invention the various tanks 23 may be arranged for intercommunication so that the beverage may flow successively through all of the tanks from the pipe B to the outlet of the last tank, or one or more of the tanks may be connected in series while other tanks may be used independently so that certain of the tanks may serve to cool and dispense one kind of beverage and other tanks may at the same time serve to cool and dispense other beverages, or one or more of the tanks may be connected in series depending upon the amount of beverage it is desired to cool and dispense over a given period of time. In Figures 3 to 15 inclu sive we have shown all of the tanks connected in series communication, and each tank has on the outside of its closure 29 two identical exteriorly threaded bosses 43 having openings 44 of the same diameter extending therethrough. in one of the openings 44 of one of the tanks, is remcvably fitted an inlet tube 45 which has its inlet end flanged at 46 and seated upon the end of the corresponding boss 43. The pipe B is connected to the boss 43 and in communication with the inlet tube 45 by a coupling nut 41. The outlet end of the inlet tube 45 is directed toward and in close proximity to the inner wall of the tank as at 48 (see Figure 6) so that the liquid flowing through the tube will be spread over the walls" of the tank in a thin film and will flow down into the tank with a minimum of agitation. As shown, the opening in the end 48 of the tube is directly opposite the wall of the tank so that the stream of incoming liquid is thrown against the wall of the tank in a direction approximately perpendicular to a tangent of said wall.

Transfer tubes 43 are provided for connecting the tanks in series, each transfer tube being approximately U-shaped and having a long straight arm 50 and a short straight arm 5| parallel throughout their lengths. The long arm 50 is inserted into one of the openings 44 of the closure of one tank and the short arm into one opening 44 of the closure of a next adjacent tank so that the long arm serves as an outlet for the first-mentioned tank and the short arm constitutes an inlet for the second-mentioned tank. The arm 5!.- is of sufficient length to extend to the bottom of the tank and has a beveled opening 52 to admit liquid into the tube. The extremity of the short arm 5! has an outlet opening 53 directed toward and in close proximity to the wall of the corresponding tank as shown in Figure 7, for the same purpose as that described in connection with the end 48 of the inlet tube 45. The two arms 5%; and 5| of the transfer tubes are connected with a liquid tight flt to the respective bosses 43 by gland nuts 54 and packing washers 55.

The outlet of the last tank of the series is connected to a dispensing faucet 55, and the connection between the faucet and the tank consists of a tube 55? having an internal diameter substantially less than that of the internal diameter of the tubes 45 and 49, so that the tube 57 will serve to restrict the flow of liquid therethrough and provide for a flow of limited volurne of liquid per unit of time. Preferably the internal diameter of the tube 5'! is about of an inch, and the restricted passage through the tube extends to the valve seat of the faucet.

Preferably the tube 51 is helically coiled at 58 to further restrict flow of the liquid to the faucet turn fitted into the corresponding opening 44 of the closure of the tank, and clamping the thimble in 1 liquid tight engagement with the tube and'the walls of the opening 44 by a gland nut 60.

Withthis construction, it will be observed that the inlet tube, transfer tubes and-outlet tube may be interchangeably connected to the openings 44 of the closures of the various tanks so that the, tanks may be connected in various relations, either in series as shown in Figure 3, or with two tanks in series as indicatedat E and F of Figure 16 with the other tank having an independent inlet G and outlet H, or with the twostanks connected independently, each with an inlet I and an outlet K and the other tank out of operation as by closing both of the openings 44 with caps L. s

The closure of each tank carries a vent valve 6 I 0 which may be the same as that shown in Patent No. 1,985,263 dated December 25, 1934, said valve serving to permit the flow of air out of the corresponding tank until a predetermined pressure is reached within the tank, after which the valvewill close to prevent further flowof air or gas from the tank.

In operation, air or carbon dioxide under pressure suflicient to prevent liberation of the activating gases from the beverage into the empty space in the barrel A, is forced into the barrel through the hose l8 so as to eject the liquid from the barrel through the tapping tube it into the pipe 13'. The liquid flows from the pipe 3 into the first calming and cooling tank 23, the vent valve of said tank permitting the air therein to vent to the atmosphere. When the pressure in the tank has reached a predetermined maximum, that is, when a predetermined quantity of liquid has flowed into the tank, the vent valve closes and thereupon the liquid will flow through-the outlet tube of said tank into the next tank and this action continues until all of the tanks are filled to their capacity. The beverage is agitated in its flow from the barrel to the tanks 23 so that it could not be satisfactorily drawn into a glass for use, but the inlet tubes 45 directing the liquid against the walls of the tanks, have a tendency to calm the liquid and the liquid remains in the tanks where it becomes calm before it is withdrawn from the dispensing faucet 5%. The tanks 23 are cooled by a refrigerating casing about to be described and it will beobserved that the liquid flows successively from the first tank,

to the last tank so that the liquid is progressively cooled, the coolest liquid being in the last tank. The throttle tube 5'! ensures that the liquid will be dispensed from the faucet in a small and steady stream without excessive splashing into a glass or other receptacle, and the calming of the liquid, especially beer, in the tanks 23, in connection with the throttle tube .51, ensures against excessive foam at the faucet.

Preferably the cooling and dispensing apparatus is mounted in a cabinet M for concealing the pipes and producing an ornamental appearance as Well as to provide for a drain N for drippings from the faucet 56.

If desired, the tanks 23 may be inserted into a heat insulated cabinet M asshown in Figure '1, which may have ice or the like 0 surrounding the tanks for cooling. =The cabinet would-naturally have a suitable cover P for replenishing the ice. Any suitable form of refrigeration may be utilized for cooling the tanks.

' 'In order to permit disconnection of the barrel A from the tanks and allow the withdrawal of all of the liquid from the tanks for consumption or for cleaning the tanks, we providemeans for injecting air into the cooling" tanks; independently of the supply container. As shown, a'threeway valve M is connected in the pipe B with two opposite ports establishing communication through the pipe and a third port 62 communieating with the atmosphere. port 62 may have a screw'threaded nipple 53 for connecting of an air hose thereto. With thisconstruction, the port 62 maybe closed while the liquid is being forced from the supply-container to'the tanks as'shown in Figure 13, or the. supply containermay'be cut-off fromxthe tanks and. air injected. throughthe valve into the tanks as shown in Figure 14, either for the purpose of forcing the liquid from the tanks or for blowing out and cleaning the tanks and tubes. The valve may also be utilized for venting the tanks of the air under pressure therein, as shown in Figure 15.

Instead of the three-way valve 6| we may use a simple two-way valve 66 and provide a separate air connecting nipple B5 in the pipe between the barrel and tanks, said nipple having an outwardly closing check valve of known construction.

It is also desirable to provide a filtering screen in the pipe B to prevent passage of solid matterv from the supply container into the tanks. This strainer is shown as comprising a casing 66 having a nipple 61 at one end to be connected to the Moreoven'the structure makes simplethe connection of the strainer into the pipe line and permits easy and quick disassembly of the strainer for cleaning.

Should it be desired to directly vent any one of the tanks, a known type of valve 12, may be provided in the tank, and this valve mayalso be utilized for attachment of a gauge Q for measuring the pressure in the tank.

While we have shown and described the invention as embodied in certain details of construction it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we all tanks, a separate closure for each tank, and means for separably fastening said closures to said tanks, and means for separably connecting said retainer to the tanks.

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of tanks of approximately the same height having their mouths in substantially a common plane, each tank having a perimetral flange adjacent its mouth, a retainer having a plurality of openings each to receive one of said tanks with said perimetral flanges at one side of said retainer nearer the mouths of the tanks, a separate closure for each tank, and bolts secured in said flange and said closures having holes to receive said bolts, certain of said.

bolts having extensions and said retainer having slots to receive said extensions, and nuts for said bolts and extensions to clamp said closures and said retainer on the tanks.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a series of tanks, closures at the corresponding ends of the tanks each having a pair of exteriorly threaded bosses through which openings are formed, an inlet tube secured in one of said openings of the closure of the first tank of the series, U-shaped transfer tubes each having two arms straight and parallel throughout their lengths and one arm removably fitted into one opening of one tank to form an outlet therefor and the other arm removably fitted in one opening of another tank to form an inlet therefor so that the two arms of each transfer tube simultaneously can be fitted into and removed from their respective openings whereby liquid may flow successively from the first tank through the other tanks, an outlet tube connected to one of said openings of the closure of the last tank of the series, and removable gland nuts and packing rings on said bosses for producing gas tight joints between said tubes and said closures.

LEO SAMEL. HERMAN H. HARR. 

